Carrying strap and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

A carrying strap for game birds or animals includes a strip of thin, flexible material for passing over a person&#39;s shoulder. At each end of the strip of thin, flexible material is a cord having both ends secured to that end of the strip. The length of each cord is sufficient for forming a lark&#39;s head knot for holding the neck or extremity of one or more game birds or animals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to carrying straps and, moreparticularly, it pertains to carrying straps for hunters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A number of background patents teach devices for carrying smallgame or birds taken by hunters. U.S. Pat. No. 825,753, entitled “Carrierfor Game” has a pair of carrier cords tied together at their ends andattached to a shoulder strap, a belt or a handle. A button slides alongthe pair of cords under friction so the pair of cords can be used toform an adjustable loop. A foot, wing or head of the bird or animal tobe carried is placed between the cords and the button is slid along thecords to reduce the size of the loop and secure the bird or animal. Thebuttons, preferably, are made of leather.

[0003] U.S. Design Pat. No. D 347,117, entitled “Releasable Small GameCarrier” employs cords and a button having a particular appearance.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,819,923, entitled “Suspension Sling” is forsuspending game or other carcasses above the ground. It employs a thinstrand of flexible material such as steel wire cable having a permanentloop and an adjustable loop. The permanent loop is for placing over asuitable support such as a tree branch and the adjustable loop is forsecuring the legs or other portion of the carcass. The adjustable loopincludes a block which is slid along the strand of material to act as aslip noose in order to secure the carcass.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,240, entitled “Carrying Device” is a cabledevice for dragging or skinning animals, or for attaching articles to ahorse saddle. It has a sleeve for sliding on the cable, thus providing aslip noose.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,347, entitled “Small Game Holder” is forsuspending small game animals or birds from a hunter's belt. It includesa pair of heavy strings with a plurality of cord locks to secure aplurality of animals or birds.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,732, entitled “Call lanyard” includes a loopfor passing around a hunter's neck. A plurality of call holder cordsdepend from the loop and are for attachment of a plurality of huntingcalls.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,632 entitled “Adjustable Game Drag Assembly”includes a slip noose for securing the neck or an appendage of a slaingame animal. It also has a plurality of hand hold members attachable tothe slip noose so that one or more persons can drag the animal.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,338 entitled “Bottled Drink CarrierApparatus” includes a strap for passing around a person's neck. It alsohas a loop with a slide lock for securing the neck of a bottlecontaining a drink product.

[0010] Other background apparatus for carrying slain birds or gameincludes bags for containing the birds or game animals.

[0011] The inventions cited above generally require some complicatedmanufacturing steps such as tying knots and providing various sliders orlocks used to create one or more slip nooses. Furthermore, theinventions cited above do not teach the use of materials orconfigurations which are easy to clean.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a carrying device for hunters. Itincludes a shoulder strap and two cords attached to the shoulder strap,the cords being for securing small game or birds.

[0013] One objective of the present invention is to support the weightof game animals or birds from the shoulder of a hunter.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide aconvenient arrangement for carrying a plurality of game animals orbirds.

[0015] An additional objective of the present invention is to provide anarrangement for carrying game animals or birds that leaves the hunter'shands free.

[0016] Yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide anarrangement for carrying game animals or birds that is easy to clean.

[0017] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide acarrying strap for game birds or animals that is easy to detach from thegame birds or animals.

[0018] Another objective of the present invention is to provide acarrying arrangement for game or birds that is economical tomanufacture.

[0019] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide aneconomical method of manufacturing a carrying strap for hunters.

[0020] In addition to the various objectives and advantages of thepresent invention which have been generally described above, there willbe various other objectives and advantages of the invention that willbecome more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in therelevant art from the following more detailed description of theinvention, particularly, when the detailed description is taken inconjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appendedclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In one aspect, the present invention is a carrying strap forcarrying at least one game bird or animal. It includes a strip of thin,flexible material, here described as including a first end portion, amedian portion, and a second end portion. The length of the medianportion is sufficient to pass over a person's shoulder. The carryingstrap also includes a first cord, here described as including a firstcord first end portion, a first cord median portion, and a first cordsecond end portion, both the first cord first end portion and the firstcord second end portion being attached to the first end portion of thestrip of thin, flexible material. The length of the median portion ofthe first cord is sufficient to form a first lark's head knot on thefirst cord. The first lark's head knot is for holding the neck or one ormore extremity of the game bird(s) or animal(s). It also includes asecond cord, here described as including a second cord first endportion, a second cord median portion, and a second cord second endportion, both the second cord first end portion and the second cordsecond end portion being attached to the second end portion of the stripof thin, flexible material. The length of the median portion of thesecond cord is sufficient to form a second lark's head knot on thesecond cord. The second lark's head knot is for holding a neck orextremity of the game bird(s) or animal(s).

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention is a packaged carryingstrap product for hunters. The packaged carrying strap product includesa carrying strap for carrying at least one game bird or animal. Thecarrying strap includes a strip of thin, flexible material heredescribed as including a first end portion, a median portion, and asecond end portion. The length of the median portion is sufficient topass over a person's shoulder. The carrying strap also includes a firstcord, here described as including a first cord first end portion, afirst cord median portion, and a first cord second end portion, both thefirst cord first end portion and the first cord second end portion beingattached to the first end portion of the strip of thin, flexiblematerial. The length of the median portion of the first cord issufficient to form a first lark's head knot on the first cord. The firstlark's head knot is for holding the neck or at least one extremity ofthe game bird(s) or animal(s). The carrying strap also includes a secondcord, here described as including a second cord first end portion, asecond cord median portion, and a second cord second end portion. Boththe second cord first end portion and the second cord second end portionare attached to the second end portion of the strip of thin, flexiblematerial. The length of the median portion of the second cord issufficient to form a second lark's head knot on the second cord. Thesecond lark's head knot is for holding the neck or at least oneextremity of the game bird(s) or animal(s). The packaged carrying strapproduct further includes instructions for forming a lark's head knot tohold at least one game bird or animal and at least one illustration ofthe carrying strap with one or both of the cords formed as a lark's headknot.

[0023] In another aspect, the present invention is a method of making acarrying strap for game birds or animals. The method includes obtaininga strip of thin, flexible material, the length of a median portion ofthe strip of thin, flexible material being suitable for passing over aperson's shoulder. The method also includes obtaining a first cord and asecond cord, a length of a median portion of each cord being sufficientto form a lark's head knot for holding a neck or extremity of at leastone game bird or animal. The method also includes attaching a first endportion and a second end portion of the first cord to a first endportion of the strip of thin, flexible material, and attaching a firstend portion and a second end portion of the second cord to a second endportion of the strip of thin, flexible material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a carrying strap according to thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a strip of thin, flexible materialcomprised in the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a view along an edge of the strip of thin, flexiblematerial.

[0027]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a first cord comprised in the presentinvention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second cord comprised in thepresent invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating attachment of the first cord tothe strip of thin, flexible material.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating attachment of the second cordto the strip of thin, flexible material.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

[0033]FIG. 10 is an illustration of a first lark's head knot formed onthe first cord for carrying one or more game birds or animals.

[0034]FIG. 11 illustrates the present invention employed to carry aplurality of game birds.

[0035]FIG. 12 illustrates the present invention employed to carry aplurality of game animals.

[0036]FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a packaged carrying strapproduct including an illustration of a lark's head knot.

NOMENCLATURE

[0037]10 Carrying strap

[0038]12 Game bird

[0039]13 Neck

[0040]14 Animal

[0041]15 Extremity

[0042]17 Person

[0043]18 Shoulder

[0044]20 Strip of thin, flexible material

[0045]22 First end portion of strip

[0046]23 First covered portion of strip

[0047]24 First covering portion of strip

[0048]26 Median portion of strip

[0049]28 Second end portion of strip

[0050]29 Second covered portion of strip

[0051]30 Second covering portion of strip

[0052]32 Length of median portion of strip

[0053]33 Width of strip

[0054]34 Thickness of strip

[0055]35 Length of strip

[0056]40 First cord

[0057]41 First cord first end portion

[0058]42 First cord median portion

[0059]43 First cord second end portion

[0060]44 Length of median portion of first cord

[0061]45 First lark's head knot

[0062]46 First stitching

[0063]47 Diameter of first cord

[0064]48 Length of first cord

[0065]49 Additional first stitching

[0066]50 Second cord

[0067]51 Second cord first end portion

[0068]52 Second cord median portion

[0069]53 Second cord second end portion

[0070]54 Length of median portion of second cord

[0071]55 Second lark's head knot

[0072]56 Second stitching

[0073]57 Diameter of second cord

[0074]58 Length of second cord

[0075]59 Additional second stitching

[0076]60 Carrying strap product

[0077]61 Instructions

[0078]62 Packaging means

[0079]64 Illustration

[0080]75 Loop formed by first lark's head knot

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0081] Attention is directed to FIG. 1 that illustrates a carryingstrap, generally designated 10, according to a presently preferredembodiment of the present invention. Carrying strap 10 includes a stripof thin, flexible material 20 that is for passing over a person'sshoulder. Carrying strap 10 further includes a first cord 40 having afirst cord first end portion 41 and a first cord second end portion 43.First cord first end portion 41 and first cord second end portion 43 areattached to first end portion 22 of the strip of thin, flexible material20.

[0082] Carrying strap 10 further includes a second cord 50 having asecond cord first end portion 51 and a second cord second end portion53. Second cord first end portion 51 and second cord second end portion53 are attached to second end portion 28 of the strip of thin, flexiblematerial 20.

[0083]FIGS. 2 and 3 show plan and edgewise views, respectively, of thestrip of thin, flexible material 20 prior to its incorporation intocarrying strap 10. The strip of thin, flexible material 20 has a medianportion 26 having a length 32 sufficient for passing over a person'sshoulder. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, thelength 32 of median portion 26 is about 18 centimeters. The strip 20 hasa width 33 appropriate for lying on a person's shoulder without foldingor creasing. In the presently preferred embodiment width 33 is about 5centimeters. The strip 20 has a thickness 34 that is sufficient toprevent strip 20 from folding or creasing. In the presently preferredembodiment, thickness 34 is about 0.2 centimeters. The strip of thin,flexible material 20, including first end portion 22, median portion 26and second end portion 28, has length 35. Length 35 is sufficient toprovide the required length for median portion 32, as well as first endportion 22 and second end portion 28. The material employed for strip20, preferably, is easy to clean.

[0084]FIGS. 4 and 5 show first cord 40 and second cord 50, respectively,prior to their incorporation into carrying strap 10. First cord 40 has afirst cord first end portion 41, a first cord median portion 42, a firstcord second end portion 43, and a length 48. The length 44 of medianportion 42 is sufficient to form a first lark's head knot (best seen inFIG. 10) for holding a neck or extremity of a game bird or animal, asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0085] In the presently preferred embodiment, the length 48 of firstcord 40 is about 80 centimeters, and the diameter 47 of first cord 40 isabout 0.4 cm. Preferably, first cord 40 comprises woven syntheticfibers. Nylon cord is presently most preferred for first cord 40. Such acord is very flexible, even at a diameter of 0.4 cm. and is easy toclean.

[0086] Second cord 50 has a second cord first end portion 51, a secondcord median portion 52, a second cord second end portion 53, and alength 58. The length 54 of median portion 52 is sufficient to form asecond lark's head knot similar to the first lark's head knot shown inFIG. 10 for holding a neck or extremity of a game bird or animal, asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0087] In the presently preferred embodiment, the length 58 of secondcord 50 is about 80 centimeters, and the diameter 57 of second cord 50is about 0.4 cm. Preferably, second cord 50 comprises woven syntheticfibers. Nylon cord is presently most preferred for second cord 50. It ispresently preferred that second cord 50 be substantially identical tofirst cord 40.

[0088]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the attachment of first cord 40 to thefirst end portion 22 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20. FIG. 7is a sectional view along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. First end portion 41 andsecond end portion 43 of first cord 40 are enclosed between firstcovering portion 24 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20 and firstcovered portion 23 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20. The firstcovering portion 24 and the first covered portion 23 of the strip ofthin, flexible material 20 are, preferably, comprised in first endportion 22 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20. The first cordfirst end portion 41 and the first cord second end portion 43 are,preferably, secured by first stitching 46. First stitching 46 passesthrough first covering portion 24, first cord first end portion 41,first cord second end portion 43 and first covered portion 23 of thestrip of thin, flexible material 20. Preferably, additional firststitching 49 attaches first covering portion 24 of strip 20 to firstcovered portion 23 of strip 20. Preferably, the first cord first endportion 41 and the first cord second end portion 43 are orthogonal tothe length 35 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20.

[0089]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the attachment of second cord 50 to thesecond end portion 28 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20. FIG. 9is a sectional view along line 9-9 in FIG. 8. First end portion 51 andsecond end portion 53 of second cord 50 are enclosed between secondcovering portion 30 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20 andsecond covered portion 29 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20.The second covering portion 30 and the second covered portion 29 of thestrip of thin, flexible material 20 are, preferably, comprised in secondend portion 28 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20.

[0090] The second cord first end portion 51 and the second cord secondend portion 53 are, preferably, secured by second stitching 56. Secondstitching 56 passes through second covering portion 30, second cordfirst end portion 51, second cord second end portion 53 and secondcovered portion 29 of the strip of thin, flexible material 20.Preferably, additional second stitching 59 attaches second coveringportion 30 of strip 20 to second covered portion 29 of strip 20.Preferably, the second cord first end portion 51 and the second cordsecond end portion 53 are orthogonal to the length 35 of the strip ofthin, flexible material 20.

[0091] Accordingly, to produce the invention, a strip of thin, flexiblematerial 20 having dimensions as discussed above is obtained, as well asfirst cord 40 and second cord 50, likewise having dimensions asdiscussed above. First cord 40 and second cord 50 are then attached tothe strip of thin, flexible material 20, as discussed above andillustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

[0092] Attention is now directed to FIG. 10 that illustrates the firstlark's head knot 45, which the user of the invention forms in first cord40. First lark's head knot 45 creates a loop 75 for holding a neck orextremity of one or more game birds or animals.

[0093]FIG. 11 illustrates a person 17 employing the invention to carry aplurality of game birds 12. The strip of thin flexible material 20 ofcarrying strap 10 rests on shoulder 18 of person 17. A first lark's headknot 45 is formed in first cord 40 to hold neck 13 of one or more gamebirds 12. Likewise, a second lark's head knot 55 is formed in secondcord 50 to hold neck 13 of game bird 12. The second lark's head knot isformed in the same manner as first lark's head knot 45, illustrated inFIG. 10. Either the first lark's head knot 45 or the second lark's headknot 55 may hold a plurality of game birds (not shown).

[0094] Likewise, FIG. 12 illustrates the person 17 employing theinvention to carry a plurality of game animals 14. The strip of thin,flexible material 20 of carrying strap 10 rests on shoulder 18 of person17. A first lark's head knot 45 is formed in first cord 40 to holdextremities 15 of game animal 14. Likewise, a second lark's head knot 55is formed in second cord 50 to hold the extremities 15 of game animal14. Either the first lark's head knot 45 or the second lark's head knot55 may hold a plurality of game animals (not shown).

[0095] If a single game bird 12 or animal 14 is to be carried, both thefirst lark's head knot 45 and the second lark's head knot 55 may beplaced on the single game bird 12 or animal 14.

[0096] Inasmuch as the user of the invention needs to be advised of theuse of the first lark's head knot 45 and the second lark's head knot 55,the invention may be sold as a carrying strap product 60 includingcarrying strap 10 in packaging means 62. Packaging means 62 may, forexample, may be a display card. Carrying strap product 60 includesinstructions 61 and illustration 64 for forming the lark's head knots 45and 55.

[0097] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed above, in accordance with the patent statutes, it should berecognized that many variations and adaptations of the invention arepossible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention asexpressed in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A carrying strap for carrying at least one game bird oranimal, said carrying strap comprising: a strip of thin, flexiblematerial, here described as comprising a first end portion, a medianportion, and a second end portion, a length of said median portion beingsufficient to pass over a person's shoulder; a first cord, heredescribed as comprising a first cord first end portion, a first cordmedian portion, and a first cord second end portion, both said firstcord first end portion and said first cord second end portion beingattached to said first end portion of said strip of thin, flexiblematerial, a length of said median portion of said first cord beingsufficient to form a first lark's head knot on said first cord, saidfirst lark's head knot for holding a neck or at least one extremity ofat least one of said at least one game bird or animal; and a secondcord, here described as comprising a second cord first end portion, asecond cord median portion, and a second cord second end portion, bothsaid second cord first end portion and said second cord second endportion being attached to said second end portion of said strip of thin,flexible material, a length of said median portion of said second cordbeing sufficient to form a second lark's head knot on said second cord,said second lark's head knot for holding a neck or at least oneextremity of at least one of said at least one game bird or animal.
 2. Acarrying strap, according to claim 1, wherein said first end portion ofsaid strip of thin, flexible material comprises a first covered portionand a first covering portion, said first covering portion being wrappedaround said first cord first end portion and said first cord second endportion to enclose said first cord first end portion and said first cordsecond end portion.
 3. A carrying strap, according to claim 2, whereinsaid first cord first end portion and said first cord second end portionare attached to said first end portion of said strip of thin, flexiblematerial by first stitching, said first stitching passing through saidfirst covering portion, said first cord first end portion, said firstcord second end portion, and said first covered portion of said strip ofthin, flexible material.
 4. A carrying strap, according to claim 3,wherein said first cord first end portion and said first cord second endportion are orthogonal to said strip of thin, flexible material.
 5. Acarrying strap, according to claim 1, wherein said second end portion ofsaid strip of thin, flexible material comprises a second covered portionand a second covering portion, said second covering portion beingwrapped around said second cord first end portion and said second cordsecond end portion to enclose said second cord first end portion andsaid second cord second end portion.
 6. A carrying strap, according toclaim 5, wherein said second cord first end portion and said second cordsecond end portion are attached to said second end portion of said stripof thin, flexible material by second stitching, said second stitchingpassing through said second covering portion, said second cord first endportion, said second cord second end portion, and said second coveredportion of said strip of thin, flexible material.
 7. A carrying strap,according to claim 6, wherein said second cord first end portion andsaid second cord second end portion are orthogonal to said strip ofthin, flexible material.
 8. A carrying strap, according to claim 1,wherein said strip of thin, flexible material has a width of about 5centimeters.
 9. A carrying strap, according to claim 1, wherein saidmedian portion of said strip of thin, flexible material has a length ofat least about 18 centimeters.
 10. A carrying strap, according to claim1, wherein said strip of thin, flexible material is sufficiently thickthat it resists creasing or folding over said person's shoulder.
 11. Acarrying strap, according to claim 1, wherein said strip of thin,flexible material has a thickness of about 0.2 cm.
 12. A carrying strap,according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first cord and saidsecond cord comprises a synthetic fibrous material.
 13. A carryingstrap, according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first cord andsaid second cord comprises woven nylon cords.
 14. A carrying strap,according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first cord and saidsecond cord has a diameter of about 0.4 cm.
 15. A carrying strap,according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first cord and saidsecond cord has a length of about 80 centimeters.
 16. A packagedcarrying strap product for hunters, said packaged carrying strap productcomprising: a carrying strap for carrying at least one game bird oranimal, said carrying strap comprising: a strip of thin, flexiblematerial here described as comprising a first end portion, a medianportion, and a second end portion, a length of said median portion beingsufficient to pass over a person's shoulder; a first cord, heredescribed as comprising a first cord first end portion, a first cordmedian portion, and a first cord second end portion, both said firstcord first end portion and said first cord second end portion beingattached to said first end portion of said strip of thin, flexiblematerial, a length of said median portion of said first cord beingsufficient to form a first lark's head knot on said first cord, saidfirst lark's head knot for holding a neck or at least one extremity ofat least one of said at least one game bird or animal; and a secondcord, here described as comprising a second cord first end portion, asecond cord median portion, and a second cord second end portion, bothsaid second cord first end portion and said second cord second endportion being attached to said second end portion of said strip of thin,flexible material, a length of said median portion of said second cordbeing sufficient to form a second lark's head knot on said second cord,said second lark's head knot for holding a neck or at least oneextremity of at least one of said at least one game bird or animal;Instructions for forming at least one of said first cord and said secondcord as a lark's head knot to hold a neck or at least one extremity ofsaid at least one game bird or animal; and at least one illustration ofsaid carrying strap with at least one of said first cord and said secondcord formed as at least one of said first and said second lark's headknot.
 17. A method of making a carrying strap for game birds or animals,said method comprising the following steps: obtaining a strip of thin,flexible material, a length of a median portion of said strip of thin,flexible material being suitable for passing over a person's shoulder;obtaining a first cord, a length of a median portion of said first cordbeing sufficient to form a first lark's head knot for holding a neck orextremity of at least one of said at least one game bird or animal;attaching a first end portion and a second end portion of said firstcord to a first end portion of said strip of thin, flexible material;obtaining a second cord, a length of a median portion of said secondcord being sufficient to form a second lark's head knot for holding aneck or extremity of at least one of said at least one game bird oranimal; and attaching a first end portion and a second end portion ofsaid second cord to a second end portion of said strip of thin, flexiblematerial.
 18. A method, according to claim 17, wherein said step ofattaching said first end portion and said second end portion of saidfirst cord to a first end portion of said strip of thin, flexiblematerial comprises the following steps: wrapping a first coveringportion of said strip of thin flexible material around said first endportion and said second end portion of said first cord to enclose saidfirst cord first end portion and said first cord second end portion; andstitching through said first covering portion of said strip of thin,flexible material, through said first end portion of said first cord,through said second end portion of said first cord, and through saidfirst covered portion of said strip of thin, flexible material.
 19. Amethod, according to claim 18, wherein said step of attaching said firstend portion and said second end portion of said second cord to a secondend portion of said strip of thin, flexible material comprises thefollowing steps: wrapping a second covering portion of said strip ofthin flexible material around said first end portion and said second endportion of said second cord to enclose said second cord first endportion and said first cord second end portion; and stitching throughsaid second covering portion of said strip of thin, flexible material,through said first end portion of said second cord, through said secondend portion of said second cord, and through said second covered portionof said strip of thin, flexible material.